His research focuses on “neural microcircuits", a specific pattern of interconnections between neurons and synapses within a specific region of the central nervous system (i.e., spinal cord); he images and studies the three-dimensional (3-D) nano-scale architecture of “mixed synapses”, a poorly studied synapse that combines the features of both chemical and electrical synapses (i.e., gap junction). To this end, he develops quantitative immuno-correlative photon- and electron-based imaging technologies required to image and analyze in 3-D the nano-scale membrane organization of mixed synapses’ pre-and post-synaptic membrane proteins. The way in which the 3-D the nano-scale membrane organization of mixed synapses’ pre-and post-synaptic membrane proteins present therein, structural and topographical information is critical to guide structure-based drug design and discovery.

Selected Publications

Names that are underlined indicate current and former laboratory members, including technicians undergraduate and graduate students, and post-doctoral fellows.